Valtteri Bottas has been named as a super short-term answer to exchange Lewis Hamilton.
Mercedes are looking for a brand new driver to take a seat alongside George Russell in 2025 when Hamilton goes to Ferrari.
And their search may take them to Bottas, who was Hamilton’s Mercedes teammate for 5 seasons, it has been claimed.
Max Verstappen is their No1 dream possibility however their junior driver, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, can also be a really actual chance.
“Toto desires Antonelli at Mercedes long-term,” FIA press convention host Tom Clarkson stated on the F1 Nation podcast.
“It’s only a query of: is he going to be prepared in 2025 or does he get given to a different workforce to be taught the ropes, then comes again to Mercedes in a number of years?”
Mercedes may decide to throw the 17-year-old prodigy into their automobile instantly.
However, in the event that they resolve he wants extra time earlier than graduating from Method 2, then they would want one other answer for 2025.
“Mercedes shall be searching for a one-year stopgap, in my e-book,” Clarkson stated.
“That doesn’t attraction to Carlos Sainz who will need a longer-term contract.
“I ponder whether Bottas could possibly be that stopgap for Mercedes in 2025.
“He is aware of the workforce very properly. He has received 10 races.
“It will likely be a significantly better possibility for him than the rest that’s on the contract.
“If Bottas goes to Mercedes, then Sainz’s choices turn into Purple Bull or Audi.
“I feel he’ll look longer-term and suppose ‘Audi is a greater long-term wager than Purple Bull due to all of the modifications and the dedication of Audi, and the query marks round Purple Bull Powertrains’.”
Bottas is aware of that he has solely a 50-50 probability of retaining his Sauber drive for 2025, as a result of Haas’ Nico Hulkenberg has already been confirmed.
Both Bottas or Guanyu Zhou – and maybe each – might must survey their choices to remain in Method 1 subsequent season.
Haas now have a emptiness however will reportedly prioritise Ollie Bearman.
